The National tribune., 1887-12-15
Proving His Love.

al oughtn't 10 be listenin' to We, sir, at al"
said the pretty Irish girl. tossing her head
You know. sir, well enough that I'm TO marry
Dennis Regan,"
"And you would rather marry him than
me?" asked Earl Talbot, drawing himself up
TO his full hight.
He was a splendid specimen OF manhood and
n handsome one, and he loved Kitty as he had
never loved woman before. The peasant girl
pleased him more than any drawing-roOm belle.
And why should be ashamed of Dennis2"
she asked. Faith, he's good enough for the
likes o. me-" with proud smile on her face.
I" But did you know that spies are on his
track for having murdered Harry DounsI" said
the young Englishman.
Ny Denny is no murderer. It's all lie got
mp by them that hates him. He's been a wild
lad, / know, but none the worse for il. He
has a good heart. and III stand by himi"
Earl Talbot looked at her beautiful face
and sighed. lie had had his way all his life,
and he could hardly understand what defeat
meant.
al am sorry, Kitty, that you viii not have
me-yery sorry. / hope some day you will
give me 4 better answer"
" 1t can never be anything else, sir. You're
kind TO AK me, but my hearts wild Denny"
and she turned her face away.
So there was nothing left for Earl Talbot TO
do but ride away, very much disappointed
man.
A few days later the fugitive Dennis Regan
was captured, and in 81 hours had been con-
demned 10 die on the scaffold.
The terrible days sped away. When only
two nights remained, Kitty, sitting alone with
her sorrow, heard her cabin door open, and in
a minute Earl Talbot stood before her.
The young man was amazed.
Hardly a trace remained Of the dainty ply
sioal beauty which had charmed him So Lovely
she still was, hut it was the ethereal sweetness
of an angel, disciplined by mortal sorrow.
why, Kitty! my poor little girl! Don't
look So beg Of you. You make me wretched.
Your eyes. that were like two purple pansies,
arc put out by the tears"
They win soon leave off tears, sir" said
Kitty, with woful calmness. my heart is
clean broken, and if they hang Dennis I'll not
be long following him."
The young man sat little while in silence.
Presently he said:
"on your soul, Kitty, do you believe Dennis
TO be ignorant of this crime?"
"As there is hope for mercy, sir. do"
Another silence and then Earl Talbot rose
kitty, Pm going TO show you how generous
a lover and a gentleman can be. When you are
happy you must think of me sometimes"
A Atender kiss was left on her cheek, and Kitty
was alone, her heart strangely full of joy and
hope.
At length the awful day arrived and the
market place at Lanark was crowded with peo-
pie TO see a strong man die. Dennis Regan
came out of his prison surrounded by Gordon
of soldiers with drawn bayonets. His face was
pale but calm.
Father Phillip proceeded TO shrive him; and
while this was going on the sobbing in the
crowd grew more vehement.
The ceremony over, the father was seen to
embrace the prisoner most tenderly, and then,
when all was over that he could do, he turned
TO descend the rude steps.
Halfway down he stumbled. Was ii this
attracted the attention Of the soldiers?
The next instant-before a musket could be
leyeled-Dennis Regan was seen to leap sheer
over the heads of the guard. and with thun-
dering shout the crowd opened TO receive him.
In a breath he was hustled along till he
reached clear space, and then he sprang upon
the splendid horse that Earl Talbot had pro-
vided, and steed and rider were away like the
wind.
Pursuit was in vain. Dennis hid among the
hills till he could make his way TO a seaport
where his mother and Kitty Joined him. There
the happy lovers were welded, and together
they crossed 10 America.
To years afterward Lanark was astonished
by the sight OF Harry Douns, just home from
Wales. where he went in a fit of pique because
Kitty frowned upon him.